Recent NAIA controversies not seen to hurt PH image – travel groups

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) — Recent incidents involving erring airport staff will not ruin the country's image as these are isolated cases, travel associations said.

"Among my passengers, I've never had anyone getting that kind of experience...One or two cases of that will not really ruin the image of the Philippines," Maria Paz, president of the Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association, told CNN Philippines' The Exchange on Friday.

Paul Pruangkarn, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) chief of staff, agreed.

"As long as the government goes out and communicates that 'This issue or that person has been dealt with,' 'This is an isolated incident,' 'We are combatting this issue and making sure that our travelers are safe,' I think that will enforce the fact that the Philippines does remain an attractive destination for travelers from all over the world," Pruangkarn said.

"My experience is that the people of the Philippines have always shown great generosity and warmth when I travel there so getting those stories out [will be] very important in communicating that," he added.

In the past two weeks, Office for Transportation Security (OTS) personnel have been involved in separate incidents of alleged theft and extortion.

Another OTS personnel also went viral after she was seen supposedly being "unprofessional" while doing pat down departure procedures on members of K-pop group ENHYPEN.

Aside from relieving the erring airport staff, the Manila International Airport Authority also ordered facility changes — such as the installation of cameras and the removal of the film covering the glass panels at transit areas. It also enforced strict policies on security screeners, including a "no pocket policy" for their uniforms.

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